FLAME RETARDANT THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is disclosed which is flame retardant and essentially halogen-free. The TPE is a copolyester (COPE). Two essentially halogen-free flame retardants (HFFRs) are used: organo-phosphinates and melamine polyphosphate. The compound is useful for wire and cable insulation.
1 . An essentially halogen-free thermoplastic elastomer compound, comprising:
(a) copolyester-containing thermoplastic elastomer;
(b) an organo-phosphinate-containing flame retardant; and
(c) a melamine-polyphosphate-containing flame retardant.
2 . The compound of claim 1 , further comprising organic phosphate-containing flame retardant.
3 . The compound of claim 1 , further comprising adhesion promoters; biocides; anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; additional processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; or combinations of them.
4 . The compound of claim 1 , wherein the weight percents of the ingredients comprise:
copolyester-containing thermoplastic
40-80%
elastomer
organo-phosphinate-containing flame
10-40%
retardant
melamine-polyphosphate-containing
2-20%
flame retardant
organic phosphate-containing flame
0-20%
retardant
secondary polymer(s)
0-10%
anti-oxidant
0-3%
thermal stabilizer
0-3%
other optional additives
0-15%
5 . The compound of claim 4 , wherein the weight percents of the ingredients comprise:
copolyester-containing thermoplastic
60-65%
elastomer
organo-phosphinate-containing flame
20-30%
retardant
melamine-polyphosphate-containing
7-12%
flame retardant
organic phosphate-containing flame
0-10%
retardant
secondary polymer(s)
0-2%
anti-oxidant
0-1%
thermal stabilizer
0-1%
other optional additives
0-5%
6 . A thermoplastic article, comprising the compound of claim 1 .
7 . The article of claim 6 in the form of wire and cable insulation.
8 . The article of claim 7 , wherein the insulation is a jacket layer, an insulating layer, or both.
9 . A wire insulated by the compound of claim 1 .
10 . A cable insulated by the compound of claim 1 .
11 . The compound of claim 2 , further comprising adhesion promoters; biocides; anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; additional processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; or combinations of them.
12 . The compound of claim 11 , wherein the weight percents of the ingredients comprise:
copolyester-containing thermoplastic
40-80%
elastomer
organo-phosphinate-containing flame
10-40%
retardant
melamine-polyphosphate-containing
2-20%
flame retardant
organic phosphate-containing flame
0-20%
retardant
secondary polymer(s)
0-10%
anti-oxidant
0-3%
thermal stabilizer
0-3%
other optional additives
0-15%
13 . The thermoplastic article of claim 6 , wherein the compound further comprises organic phosphate-containing flame retardant.
14 . The article of claim 13 , wherein the compound further comprises adhesion promoters; biocides; anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; additional processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; or combinations of them.
15 . The article of claim 13 , wherein the compound has weight percents of ingredients comprising:
copolyester-containing thermoplastic
40-80%
elastomer
organo-phosphinate-containing flame
10-40%
retardant
melamine-polyphosphate-containing
2-20%
flame retardant
organic phosphate-containing flame
0-20%
retardant
secondary polymer(s)
0-10%
anti-oxidant
0-3%
thermal stabilizer
0-3%
other optional additives
0-15%
16 . The article of claim 13 in the form of wire and cable insulation.
17 . The article of claim 16 , wherein the insulation is a jacket layer, an insulating layer, or both.
18 . The wire of claim 9 , wherein the compound further comprises organic phosphate-containing flame retardant.
19 . The wire of claim 18 , wherein the compound further comprises adhesion promoters; biocides; anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppressants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; plasticizers; additional processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; or combinations of them.
20 . The wire of claim 18 , wherein the compound has weight percents of ingredients comprising:
copolyester-containing thermoplastic
40-80%
elastomer
organo-phosphinate-containing flame
10-40%
retardant
melamine-polyphosphate-containing
2-20%
flame retardant
organic phosphate-containing flame
0-20%
retardant
secondary polymer(s)
0-10%
anti-oxidant
0-3%
thermal stabilizer
0-3%
other optional additives
0-15%